The Australian Haiku Society would like to congratulate all the winners and thank everyone who participated in the 2024 Spring Solstice Haiku Kukai. This year’s judge, Olivia Ark, who was also responsible for creating the stunning images for the kukai, was impressed with the quality of the entries, which came in from all parts of the globe.
1st place
I follow my breath
out of the darkness
winter stars
Marion Clarke
Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland
This is a beautiful and breathtaking haiku with many layers of meaning. In a physical sense, the poet could be navigating the dark on a cold winter’s night, with clouds of breath ahead of her that help to guide her way. Or it could be understood in a more symbolic sense where the poet is meditating and following her breath in and out of an emotionally dark place. When the breath is then juxtaposed with winter stars, it further enhances the image of it acting as a guiding light. This poem works harmoniously with the painting – the light blossoms are similar to breath or winter stars that emerge out of the darkness of the branch. It is an inspiring haiku, in the way that the poet becomes her own light in navigating her way out of difficult terrain. A well deserved first place.
2nd place
late frost
new growth wilts
into my fingers
Maurice Nevile, Australia
This is a beautiful, moving and essential haiku for our times. Not only does the
poem capture the transient nature of things, but also the fragility of the
environment that we are a part of. The hope we feel at the sight of the new growth soon turns to loss as it wilts into the poet’s fingers. Sadly the new life disappears before it even has a chance to realise its potential. This haiku concisely relays the effects of global warming, where there is now an earlier onset of the growing season that exposes plants to damage from frost. It serves as a reminder of the importance of the environment in our lives, how inseparable we are from it, and how we need to do what we can to protect it. This is a lovely haiku with a lasting impact, congratulations on second place.
Highly commended
blowing in the fire a few rekindled memories
Mirela Brailean, Romania
This captivating haiku has a lyrical quality that draws the reader into a dreamlike space. The image of memories reigniting inside of a fire is a beautiful one. I loved the unique and interesting interpretation of the artwork as well – where the haiku blossoms turn into sparks of memory along the pathways or branches of the mind.
unceasing winds
the blossoming spring
scattered
Lyn Reeves
Lauderdale, Tasmania
This is a beautifully crafted, important and timely haiku. The blossoming spring holds the promise of new life and to see that scattered by damaging winds can be a troubling image. I love the way this poem picks up on the sparse number of blossoms on the branch and the wind moving through the painting and matches it with its own energy. It gives me hope to see poets respond to climate change and remind us of the part we all have to play in caring for the land and shaping a better future.
advent of spring
just a few light strokes
of a sumi-e brush
Ingrid Baluchi, North Macedonia
This lovely haiku perfectly encapsulates the feeling of spring. There is a lightness to the new petals, pollen, seeds, first leaves and painting these elements in ink requires a lightness of touch. It was a joy to see the lightness of spring juxtaposed with the light strokes of a sumi-e brush. A gorgeous observation in a skillfully constructed poem where every word earns its place.
– Olivia Ark
Australian Haiku Society 